The choice of philosophers and warriors: how to wear a beard and look cool – barber’s lifehacks

creative director of the men’s barbershop “5/8”, one of the top 10 barbers in Russia

“In the modern world, the beard is a special element of male appearance, which can set the tone of the image and style as a whole. It can be brutality, carelessness or aristocratic refinement. It all depends on what shape you choose and how you style it. Every nuance is important. For example, the choice of haircut. For different types of beard has its most successful variant. I suggest to understand all the details”.

Beard – a real salvation for men who look too young and they are not taken seriously. Hair on the lower part of the face can dramatically change the appearance.

But here you need to keep in mind and another nuance: beard can make you “wiser” and “brutal”, but it also causes associations with the criminal world, aggression, antisocial.

In any case, this element always adds temperament. The main thing is the right choice of shape and stylization. So how have beards been worn throughout history?

A little history

The history of wearing a beard began in antiquity. Then the vegetation on the face was considered not just a decoration, but also a symbol of wisdom. In ancient Egypt, for example, pharaohs wore artificial beards, emphasizing their power. If you remember, they were even covered with gold to demonstrate their status. At the same time, ordinary citizens shaved their beards to comply with strict regulations and to distinguish themselves from the nobility.

In ancient Greece, beards were worn exclusively by philosophers and those who devoted their lives to science. Among them are Socrates, Plato and others.

In the Roman Empire, preferences changed. Smoothly shaven faces and neat vegetation became fashionable. For example, Emperor Hadrian wore a beard to emphasize his wisdom and accomplishments.

Medieval Europe brought its own canons. Christian priests shaved their vegetation, seeing it as purity and renunciation of worldly temptations. At the same time, the Vikings and Slavs were proud of their beards as a symbol of courage and warrior spirit.

In the Renaissance vegetation on the face in general became a subject of art. Masters created real masterpieces, giving beards exquisite forms.

A special turn occurred in the XIX century. Then the beard became a symbol of male protest against the industrialization of society. While machine production put everyone under the “same mold”, facial vegetation expressed uniqueness. Famous personalities, such as Abraham Lincoln, had beards as part of their political image.

In the XX century, it alternately went out of fashion, then returned. The styles of the 60’s with their desire for freedom of expression made popular longer beards and mustaches, symbolizing rebellion. Hippies and rock musicians also contributed to the proliferation of facial hair.

Today, a beard is not just a fashion accent, but a way of self-expression. These days, barbershops have made a resurgence, offering men not only grooming but also modern styling.

Variety of beard styles

A beard is an attribute that can be used to express your individuality, and a mustache in various forms – from classic French to thick – will be an interesting accent. Combining these elements will create a memorable image for any man. But what beards are relevant now?

1. “Lumberjack”. This is a large and voluminous long beard, it is recognized by everyone, always and everywhere.
2. “The Viking. A long, thick beard that can be braided into pigtails!
3. “Irish”. A long, thick beard with a thick mustache.
4. “The screen. A long beard, as if covering an oval, from temples to chin.
5. “Island.” A short beard, not favored by women because it looks like a strip of unshaven stubble in the middle of the upper lip.
6. “Espagnole.” A short beard on the cheeks and chin, with a highlighted groomed strip along the jaw.
7. “Balbo.” A style with a detached mustache and beard, often worn with a highlighted chin.
8. “Hollywood.” A small, neat beard that grows along the jawline and connects to the mustache.
9. “Verdi. A voluminous beard with a wide mustache that hangs down below the jaw line.

Now we move on to styling. What style will your beard look harmonious with? What style will it fit in best? Let’s look at the details.

Beard, haircut and choice of clothes

When choosing a hairstyle and style of beard, it is important to take into account personal preferences and features of appearance, which will create a complete image of a man. It is also necessary to be able to correctly combine these elements with clothes. This approach will create a harmonious bow and will emphasize the style. What are the most popular men’s haircuts now? How to combine them with a beard and closet solutions?

A universal option is a classic haircut. They are easier to “friend” and with different types of beard, and with styles of clothing. What options can be attributed to this? “Pompadour”, “Undercat”, “quiff”. Let’s look at the details.

Haircut “Quiff” with bristles

1. The “Quiff” ha ircut with voluminous hair on top and short cut sides creates a dynamic look. It combines perfectly with a lush beard. For example, in the style of “Hollywood” or “Verdi”. Requires a neat closet and shoes on thin soles.

Quiff with a Verdi beard

2. The “Undercat” haircut with long side-swept bangs requires a neat beard with clean lines. For example, such shapes as “Balbo” or “anchor” are suitable. This haircut looks good in brutalized, but modern images. For example, with a leather jacket, jeans.

“Undercat” haircut with “Balbo” beard

3. Haircut “High Fade with Pompadour” creates a bright contrast and volume. This makes it noticeable and stylish. It is suitable for combining with a medium-length beard and clear outlines. This haircut is best combined with an open collar shirt or jacket.

“High Fade with Pompadour” with a “bretta” beard.

4. textured “cropped ” – a short haircut with an accent on the texture of the hair at the top of the head. It will look good with a light unshaven or neat beard, adding to the image of masculinity. Such a haircut is appropriate in a sporty style. For example, in combination with a T-shirt and a bomber.

Cropped haircut with neat beard

5. “Box” with shaving – this is a classic variant of haircut, which is easily combined with any style of beard. The versatility of this haircut allows you to experiment with different clothes – from a casual shirt to an elegant trench coat.

Box” haircut with shaving and Hollywood beard

To make all these recommendations work, it is important to choose the right beard shape and not to screw up with its embodiment. What’s important here?

Beard cutting techniques

To correctly choose the right style, it is important to first conduct a consultation. Barber must understand what image the man wants to create, what is the structure of his hair and what features of the face should be emphasized or hidden.

1. Preparation

The beard should be thoroughly washed before the haircut. The use of shampoos and conditioners will improve the condition of the hair, and a hot compress will soften it and prepare it for cutting to form clear lines.

2. haircutting techniques: tools and methods

The main tools of the barber are a shearing machine, scissors and trimmer. With their help, you can perform various techniques:

• contouring. Trimmer creates beard lines on the cheeks and neck;
• smoothing. The machine with different attachments adjust the length of hair, achieving the desired transition from one zone to another;
• thinning. Scissors barber models the shape, removing excess volume;
• texturizing. With the help of special scissors with teeth give the beard a natural and well-groomed look.

3. Finishing work

This can be the application of a blade for perfectly sharp contours or the application of care cosmetics to nourish the hair.

4. Styling

The use of styling waxes and pastes will fix the beard in position. Light sprays will give your beard a healthy shine and a well-groomed look.

5. Consultation

At the end of the session, the barber should give the client advice on maintaining the shape of the beard at home until the next visit to the salon and recommendations for grooming.

Beard grooming

Quality beard care includes several key steps and products. These contribute to the health and aesthetics of the hair.

One of the main steps in grooming is regular washing with a specialty shampoo or mild beard gel. This helps to cleanse the hair and facial skin of dirt, grease and styling product residue, keeping it healthy and leaving hair looking fresh and well-groomed.

In addition to washing, daily brushing with a special comb is an important element. This helps to detangle vegetation, improve circulation in the facial area and make the beard more manageable and groomed. Regular brushing promotes the growth of healthy hair and prevents dandruff.

To maintain the softness and shine of the beard, it is recommended to use special oils or balms. They nourish, moisturize the skin and give a healthy and well-groomed look. The choice of oil or balm depends on the type of skin and hair, so it is worth consulting with your master to find the right product.

Beard grooming also requires a haircut and trimming of the beard’s contours. A competent barber will help to create a shape that matches the client’s individual features and style, giving it a neat look and emphasizing the advantages of the face.

Gentle and regular beard care helps to maintain its health, beauty and style. A visit to a barbershop for professional grooming will not only enhance your appearance, but will also be an enjoyable part of your ritual and grooming routine.

Impact of beard on image

The visual effect of a beard has a great impact on a man’s overall appearance. It emphasizes certain facial features or changes a man beyond recognition. Let’s look at examples.

Shape correction

Beard serves as a frame that changes the shape of the face. For example, a long one can visually correct a round face. It will become more oval and elongated. A wide one, on the contrary, will widen a narrow face.

Emphasize strong features

The right shape can emphasize strong features. A thick mustache and beard emphasize the depth of the look. A well-defined line on the cheeks draws attention to the cheekbones, making them more expressive.

Play of contrasts

The use of vegetation on the face to create a contrast with the style of clothing creates interesting combinations. Combining a brutal beard with a business suit emphasizes charisma. While neatly trimmed in combination with informal clothing expresses attention to detail.

Broadcasting character traits

Beard can also be an indicator of personality traits. Long and well-groomed is associated with wisdom and stability, and a short form speaks of courage and vigor.

Examples of the influence of the beard on the image

Let’s imagine a classic style. Carefully trimmed beard in combination with hairstyle “Pompadour” and a suit creates the image of a gentleman with a touch of retro.

You can also add creativity. Beard with intentionally “careless” hair styling, complemented with a denim jacket and boots, reflects freedom and artistry.

In a sporty style, you can emphasize dynamism and activity. Here will look good short beard with sharp lines and haircut “box” in combination with a T-shirt and sports pants.

Beard accessories

A beard comb is a practical item. There are different variations: from handmade wooden copies to pocket models made of high-quality plastic.

Beard oil is both care and aromatherapy. The product makes hair soft, well-groomed and pleasant to the touch.

Beard scissors – from classic straight scissors to professional models with thin ends. With their help you can bring the shape to perfection.

Beard balms and waxes keep your beard in style in all conditions. They shape, texture and lightly fix the hair while maintaining a natural look.

Shaving tools, from straight razors to modern multifunctional trimmers. They help maintain perfect lines and angles.

Leather pouches and cases are often available for storing and transporting any such accessories. They will not only protect the tools from damage, but also become an exquisite addition to the image.

It is very important to choose your style and grooming wisely. Using different techniques of haircutting and styling, combining beard with hairstyle and clothes, you can create an image that will suit this or that man.

Now attention to detail is not a luxury, but a necessity. A man with a beautiful beard always looks status and attracts the attention of women.